Justice Secretary David Gauke is expected to launch a consultation on the shake-up, saying he wants a "less antagonistic" system.

The days of being forced to play the blame game to get a divorce could soon be over.

Justice Secretary David Gauke is to launch a consultation on plans for a major shake-up of divorce laws, with a move towards a "less antagonistic" system.

Currently, the law in England and Wales means anyone wanting a divorce must prove their partner is at fault through adultery, desertion or unreasonable behaviour, if their partner does not agree.

Someone can also apply for a divorce after being separated for more than two years, but only if their husband or wife agrees in writing.

If there is disagreement, the only other way is for a couple to be separated for at least five years.

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Details of the consultation have not been confirmed but Mr Gauke previously told The Times that the current laws "create a degree of antagonism in an already difficult and sensitive set of circumstances".

Image:Current laws in England and Wales make divorce difficult if the other partner does not agree

Pip Wilson, an entrepreneur who created divorce app Amicable, told Sky News that the move towards change was "extremely positive".

She added: "We've been campaigning for this for a long time and it's very true that the laws are completely outdated and very much in need of modernisation.

"All other western democracies have removed the fault-based divorce a long time ago, including Scotland.

"This rationale that the state needs to understand your reasons for divorce and you have to prove why you want to get a divorce - it just doesn't make any sense."

Ms Wilson said that couples do not opt for divorce lightly, adding: "They reach it after a period of time of trying, often years of making their marriage work.

"Once they've reached that point of going: 'No, I'm sorry it can't work, we have no choice apart from divorce', it doesn't help the situation to have to prove to an external third party who is at fault. It just makes the situation worse and often introduces a lot more antagonism."

Image:Tini Owens lost her fight to divorce her husband in July

The need for reform was brought into the public eye after Tini Owens lost her fight to divorce her husband in July after 40 years of marriage.

She had described her marriage to husband Hugh as "loveless" and "broken down", saying he had behaved unreasonably.

But Mr Owens, 80, had denied this and refused to agree to a divorce.

The Supreme Court ruled against Mrs Owens, 68, forcing her to remain in the marriage.

The judges in the case had said that parliament should look at whether the law governing entitlement to divorce was still "satisfactory".

Fiona Snowdon, family law expert at Simpson Millar, said: "Divorce can be a painful, drawn out experience.

"A no-fault divorce would inject some much needed autonomy and practicality into the process."

She added: "This announcement suggests that we are finally moving in the right direction, and we could not be more pleased."